338 RUM, Edge or Lapua?

[One Hole]

I've been looking into building a long range boomer. I'm pretty much decided on a 338. Will use for deer, elk and Bear. Seems like most RUMs or Edges are in the 10 to 12lb range but looks like most Lapuas are in the 15lb+ range. I want a quality, accurate and shootable rifle with muzzle brake. I'm not that concerned with ammo or component availability because the rifle will probably take a year or more to have built. That said there's a lot of Lapua stuff available now. Would you go with a bigger, heavier Lapua given about the same ballistics performance? What should my minimum weight target be for a Shootable RUM or edge? Thanks for your input?

 

[Wolf76]

Wouldn't go less than 9# with any of the above cartridges. Think 9.5 - 10.5 is the sweet spot for hunting. I have an edge and think its ideal for your application. They make 338 edge brass or you can neck up 300 rum brass. With supplies being questionable for a foreseeable future, this could be a big difference. All three cartridges shoot within 150 fps of each other, so at most hunting distances its inconsequential with regards to terminal performance.
Since you're building a rifle, you can clearly achieve whatever weight you want.

 

[Slick8]

I'm in the same boat. With the right stock and brake I don't think they need to weigh more than 10 pounds scoped. You could shave the RUM down to the 8 pound range scoped but imo, I feel like a heavy 9 or just touching 10 pounds hunt ready would be the sweet spot.

Here's where I'm looking ot something similar.

Def Tenacity or An-Ti (currently running one of each).
Proof sendero
Mcm game warden or AG.
Wyatts mag box
Rifle weight is 7.5 pounds.

VX6-HD 6-24x52 in Seekins.
Should finish out with bipod and sling around 10ish pounds perhaps heavy 9s.

 

[Reelamin]

I've been looking into building a long range boomer. I'm pretty much decided on a 338. Will use for deer, elk and Bear. Seems like most RUMs or Edges are in the 10 to 12lb range but looks like most Lapuas are in the 15lb+ range. I want a quality, accurate and shootable rifle with muzzle brake. I'm not that concerned with ammo or component availability because the rifle will probably take a year or more to have built. That said there's a lot of Lapua stuff available now. Would you go with a bigger, heavier Lapua given about the same ballistics performance? What should my minimum weight target be for a Shootable RUM or edge? Thanks for your input?

Everyone is different and my experiences just don't justify a customs expense for a hunting rifle outside things you can't get on a factory rifle. We are having two 338 Edges built right now with 26" Brux #4 Heavy Sporter, Defiance Anti, Hawkins Metal, Trigger Tech, McMillan Mag Fill/Carbon Rem Hunter, Brake. All total before reamed/threaded is 8lb 9oz. If we didnt want the custom for the caliber....would be a Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in .338 Lapua.....actually weighs 9lb 2oz without the magazine. Savage if you can get one and you will before a custom can be built $1300.....custom....well past #4K.

 

[Reelamin]

I'm in the same boat. With the right stock and brake I don't think they need to weigh more than 10 pounds scoped. You could shave the RUM down to the 8 pound range scoped but imo, I feel like a heavy 9 or just touching 10 pounds hunt ready would be the sweet spot.

Here's where I'm looking ot something similar.

Def Tenacity or An-Ti (currently running one of each).
Proof sendero
Mcm game warden or AG.
Wyatts mag box
Rifle weight is 7.5 pounds.

VX6-HD 6-24x52 in Seekins.
Should finish out with bipod and sling around 10ish pounds perhaps heavy 9s.

Have you actually put these listed items on a scale to verify 7lbs 8oz weight? Trying to find where I missed something or why mine is so different.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

I've been looking into building a long range boomer. I'm pretty much decided on a 338. Will use for deer, elk and Bear. Seems like most RUMs or Edges are in the 10 to 12lb range but looks like most Lapuas are in the 15lb+ range. I want a quality, accurate and shootable rifle with muzzle brake. I'm not that concerned with ammo or component availability because the rifle will probably take a year or more to have built. That said there's a lot of Lapua stuff available now. Would you go with a bigger, heavier Lapua given about the same ballistics performance? What should my minimum weight target be for a Shootable RUM or edge? Thanks for your input?

Custom always wins..

a guy can build a pretty respectable 338 edge, 338 RUM in that 7-7.75 range before glass with little trouble .. build a ton of them in that 9-10 pound range that are lazer accurate and not abusive.

Hell my carbon 26" 338-378 weatherby weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings !! and that's with a BAD *** BAT action !!

I just weight the identical rifle in 300 RUM it sits at 9 pounds 7 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings

So you expectations are very doable

 

[H82MISS]

338 RUM

 

[waspocrew]

I went with the 338 RUM after considering those same options. If I recall correctly, my rifle is 13.5 lbs scoped. Haven't had the chance to hunt with it but it's been fun at the range!

 

[One Hole]

Wouldn't go less than 9# with any of the above cartridges. Think 9.5 - 10.5 is the sweet spot for hunting. I have an edge and think its ideal for your application. They make 338 edge brass or you can neck up 300 rum brass. With supplies being questionable for a foreseeable future, this could be a big difference. All three cartridges shoot within 150 fps of each other, so at most hunting distances its inconsequential with regards to terminal performance.
Since you're building a rifle, you can clearly achieve whatever weight you want.

Thank you for the helpful input!

 

[Slick8]

Have you actually put these listed items on a scale to verify 7lbs 8oz weight? Trying to find where I missed something or why mine is so different.n

No but I own a tenacity and anti in AG stocks with VX6-HDs.

The gray rifle below is a tenacity, AG stock and steel barrel in standard magnum contour. With the VX6-HD 6-24x52 in Seekins and bipod it just touches 10 pounds. I could shave some weight with a lighter scope and rings but I really like the combo.

The suppressed rifle is an anti with a thin Cf barrel at 21 inches in an AG stock. It's weighs 9.0 with a VX6-HD 3-18x44, bipod and TABC Ultra 7.

The rifle pictured above is from the APR website and is stated at 7.4 pounds on a tenacity and 24 inch proof sendero in 6.5 prc. There's opportunity to drop 8 ounces with an anti action. The barrel will drop weight with a 338 tube but gain a little with additional length.

It's really not too hard to build a magnum at 7-7.5 pounds at 26 inches in a proof sendero or magnum contour steel barrel.

Imo-the added weight typically comes from heavy and long steel barrels, heavy stocks and heavy scopes. Everything is a tradeoff when cutting ounces.

My plan is 9ish pounds in a 338 boomer with a good brake.

 

[One Hole]

Custom always wins..

a guy can build a pretty respectable 338 edge, 338 RUM in that 7-7.75 range before glass with little trouble ..

Hell my carbon 26" 338-378 weatherby weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings !! and that's with a BAD *** BAT action !!

I just weight the identical rifle in 300 RUM it sits at 9 pounds 7 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings

So you expectations are very doable

Those sound pretty abusive! I not interested in ultralight for cartridge mules

 

[Slick8]

Those sound pretty abusive! I not interested in ultralight for cartridge mules

I have the same concern.

The tenacity action above in 30 nosler with a vias brake is all I want from the bench. In the field including prone its a non issue.

I have no issues with the tenacity but question if the anti is up to a big 338 like an edge or lapua. They've removed a lot of meat from that action.

Btw-the suppressed rifle above is in 7 saum and a kid could shoot it from the bench. It's a fun little rifle to shoot.

 

[asd9055]

Custom always wins..

a guy can build a pretty respectable 338 edge, 338 RUM in that 7-7.75 range before glass with little trouble ..

Hell my carbon 26" 338-378 weatherby weighs 9 pounds 12 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings !! and that's with a BAD *** BAT action !!

I just weight the identical rifle in 300 RUM it sits at 9 pounds 7 ounces with NX8 4-32 NF rings

So you expectations are very doable

Elk Hunter how is the recoil of your rfile
Compared
To the other 338s

 

[paulatherton21]

9-10 lb scoped 338s with a good brake and stock don't kick anymore than a 7mag with no brake. Just my opinion... i agree with elk hunter 338... SEND IT!